Forceps with integrated blade

ABSTRACT

An apparatus includes a gripping instrument that includes a first arm and a second arm disposed opposite the first arm. The first arm and the second arm are joined at a joint, where an end of the first arm opposite the joint is configured to move towards an end of the second arm opposite the joint in a gripping direction. The apparatus further includes a blade disposed on the first arm, where the blade is oriented at an angle that is non-parallel to the gripping direction.

INTRODUCTION

Forceps, tweezers, tongs, and the like are used in medical, hobby,utility, and other applications to aid in gripping and pulling objects,particularly small structures. For example, forceps can be used inmedical procedures to aid in the attachment or removal of sutures, forexample. After suture attachment, instruments such as scissors are thenused to cut the suture to the proper length. A similar procedure is usedin suture removal, where the suture is first cut by a pair of scissors,then pulled with a pair of forceps. Both of these procedures require theuse of two instruments, either simultaneously in two hands orsequentially in a single hand.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the technology relates to an apparatus including twoarms, where each of the two arms includes a first end and a second end.The two arms are joined at the first ends so as to form a handle. Thesecond ends configured to be positioned in an open position when the twosecond ends are not in contact and in a closed position where the twosecond ends are in contact, and when in the open position, the twosecond ends define two points on a line. The apparatus further includesa blade disposed on at least one of the two arms, with the bladeincluding a body that defines a plane and a cutting edge disposed at anangle to the plane, and where the plane is disposed at an angle to theline.

In another aspect, the technology relates to an apparatus including agripping instrument that includes a first arm and a second arm disposedopposite the first arm. The first arm and the second arm are joined at ajoint, where an end of the first arm opposite the joint is configured tomove towards an end of the second arm opposite the joint in a grippingdirection. The apparatus further includes a blade disposed on the firstarm, where the blade is oriented in at an angle that is non-parallel tothe gripping direction.

In another aspect, the technology relates to a method including grippinga gripping instrument in a first orientation and actuating the grippinginstrument into a gripping position without releasing the grippinginstrument from the first orientation. The method further includescutting a target with a blade disposed on the gripping instrument, wherethe cutting operation is performed discrete from the actuating operationand without releasing the gripping instrument from the firstorientation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

There are shown in the drawings, examples which are presently preferred,it being understood, however, that the technology is not limited to theprecise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIGS. 1A and 1B depict perspective and end views, respectively, of agripping instrument with integral cutting blades.

FIGS. 2-4 are other examples of gripping instruments with integralcutting blades.

FIGS. 5-6 are other examples of gripping instruments with integralcutting blades.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, forceps, tweezers, tongs, or other gripping instruments havea pair of arms that are used to grip an object, usually by applicationof a squeezing force on the instrument (depending on instrumentconfiguration). Certain of these instruments may also be locked in oneor more positions. When in an open position, the arms of the instrumentare spread away from each other, in examples by a spring or return forceinherent in the material used to manufacture the instrument. Other typesof instruments (e.g., forceps such as Pean, Gross-Maier, etc.) include apivoting connection joining the two arms. Thumb and finger holes at theends of these arms allow the gripping ends of the arms to be movedfurther apart and closer together. In the case of instruments having apivoting connection, the thumb and finger holes allow those instrumentsto operate much like a pair of scissors. However, when the arms of suchinstruments are brought into a gripping position (with the tips closetogether, usually with an object present therebetween), the grippingportions merely grip the object without cutting or slicing as is thecase with scissors.

The integrated blade technologies described herein dispose one or moreblades on one or more arms of the instrument in such a configurationthat gripping objects is still possible, as with regular forceps.However, the configuration (e.g., orientation, angle, size, length,etc.) of the blade prevents the blade from cutting the object as thearms are brought into the gripping position. That is, the blade is notoriented so as to face the opposite arm, which would result in the bladecutting the target (again, much like scissors). This enables a user ofthe instrument to use the forceps in a typical manner, while stillhaving in hand and readily available, a slicing blade to allow for easycutting of a target, if desired.

As such, a user may utilize both functions of the blade-integratedforceps, without having to trade instruments, or utilize a cuttingimplement disposed, e.g., on an end of the instrument opposite thegripping portion. The integrated blade technologies described herein maybe applied to forceps, tweezers, tongs, or other gripping instrumentsthat are used to enable or supplement the gripping of objects,especially very fine or small objects. For clarity herein, however, thetechnologies will be described generally in the context of medicalforceps used for the insertion and removal of sutures.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a gripping instrument, in this case, apair of forceps 100. FIG. 1B is an end view of the forceps 100 and isdescribed simultaneously with FIG. 1A. The forceps 100 include two arms102, 104, each including on an exterior thereof one or more raisedserrations, ribs, or ridges 106 to improve gripping of the forceps 100.The arms 102, 104 are connected at first ends 108, 110 thereof to form ajoint 112 so as to form a handle 114. Typically, during use, the handle114 of the forceps 100 may rest in or be cupped by the palm of the hand,while one finger and the thumb may apply opposing forces to the arms102, 104 (whether the thumb or finger applies force to arm 102 or arm104 is a function of how, and in which hand, the forceps 100 are held).

The arms 102, 104 each include a main portion 116, 118 (typically wherethe forceps 100 are gripped by a user) and a tip portion 120, 122(typically where the forceps 100 capture an object). Second ends 124,126 of each arm 102, 104 are located distal from the handle 114 and eachinclude a tip 128, 130. In general, the tips 128, 130 may be the distalends of the tip portions 120, 122 that contact each other when the twoarms 102, 104 are forced together (without an object therebetween).Textured surfaces may be disposed thereon to reduce slipping of theobject being gripped. Stops 132 may prevent over-squeezing andpotentially bending of the arms 102, 104 when the tips 128, 130 are incontact.

At least one blade 134 is disposed on the forceps 100, morespecifically, on arm 102. The blade 134 may be disposed in a number oflocations, but in the depicted example, the blade 134 spans, and isconnected to, both the main portion 116 and the tip portion 120 of thearm 102. More specifically, the main portion 116 includes a main axisA_(M), while the tip portion 120 includes a tip axis A_(T). These axesA_(M), A_(T) are disposed at an angle a to each other, and the blade 134spans that angle α. The blade 134 includes a body 136 and a cutting edge138 disposed at an angle to the body 136, as typical of common blades.

FIG. 1B is an end view of the gripping instrument 100 of FIG. 1B anddepicts the instrument 100, viewed from the tips 128, 130, towards thehandle 114. In FIG. 1A, the instrument (again, forceps) 100 are in anopen position. Each arm 102, 104 terminates at the tips 128, 130. Whenthe forceps 100 are squeezed, the tips 128, 130 move towards each otherin a gripping direction G, until they reach a closed position where theytouch (or until they grip an object therebetween). The tips 128, 130also define two points on a line L therebetween. The gripping directionG is generally along this line L. The blade 134 forms a plane P(depicted here as a two-dimensional line). This plane P is disposed atan angle β to the line L. The angle β may be any angle that reduces orminimizes the likelihood that the blade 134 will cut an object when theobject is being gripped. In examples, this angle β is generallynon-parallel to the line L or the gripping direction G. One potentialorientation utilized so as to avoid cutting of an object is when theplane P is substantially orthogonal to the line L. In other examples,the angle β is between about 90 degrees and about 75 degrees to the lineL or the gripping direction G. In a contrary example, common scissorsinclude blades on the arms that are generally disposed parallel to aclosing direction (which is substantially similar to the grippingdirection G of the instrument 100). As such, this orientation enablescutting when arms of the scissors are brought together. The non-parallelorientation of the blade 134 on the gripping instrument 100 preventscutting of an object as the arms 102, 104 are brought together.

With the depicted orientation of the blade 134, the instrument 100 maybe used for both gripping and cutting operations. For example, theinstrument is typically held in a first orientation, where the thumb isin contact with a first arm 102, while the index finger is in contactwith the second arm 104. A user, e.g., a surgeon, may actuate thegripping action of the instrument to grip G and pull sutures being usedto close a wound. At the end of the suturing operation, the blade 134may be used to simply slice the suture to the proper length, withoutusing the gripping function of the instrument 100, and without changingthe first orientation of the instrument 100. The slicing action S can beperformed, e.g., by lifting the tip 128 of the instrument 100 (frombelow the suture) or by moving the tip 128 forward in a substantiallylinear motion. As such, the instrument 100 with integral blade 134 ismuch easier to use than instruments that incorporate cutting implementson an end opposite the gripping portion.

FIGS. 2-4 are other examples of gripping instruments 200, 300, 400 withintegrated cutting blades. The gripping instruments 200, 300, 400 ofFIGS. 2-4 include structures and components similar to those depictedand described in FIGS. 1A and 1B, which are similarly numbered. As such,certain of these elements are not described further. The orientations,configurations, and other details of cutting blades 234, 334, 434 aredescribed further with regard to FIGS. 2-4.

In FIG. 2, the gripping instrument 200 includes a guard 240 that extendsfrom a main portion 216 of the first arm 202. A blade 234 is configuredso as to project from and be connected to the tip portion 220. An end ofthe blade 234 may be secured to the main portion 216 so as to furtherstabilize the blade 234, if required or desired. The blade 234 may besecured to the tip portion 220 so as to be substantially parallel, or ata slight angle, thereto. The guard 240 is substantially parallel to thetip portion 220 and is disposed so as to be aligned with the tip portion220. As such, the blade 234 is disposed between the guard 240 and thetip portion 220, and substantially parallel to both.

In FIG. 3, the gripping instrument 300 includes a guard 340 that extendsfrom a tip portion 320 of the first arm 302. A blade 334 is configuredso as to project from and be connected to the tip portion 320. The blade334 may be secured to the tip portion 320 so as to be substantiallyparallel, or at a slight angle, thereto. The guard 340 is substantiallyparallel to the tip portion 120 and is disposed so as to be aligned withthe tip portion 320. As such, the blade 334 is disposed between theguard 340 and the tip portion 320, and substantially parallel to both.The blade 334 may include two cutting edges. A first, longer cuttingedge 138 is disposed so as to be substantially parallel to the guard340. A second cutting edge 342 may be disposed at an end of the blade334. As such, a gap 344 may be formed between the guard 340 and thesecond cutting edge 342. The instrument 300 may be manipulated by a usersuch that a loop or length of material (e.g., a suture) is disposed inthe gap 344, then the instrument 100 may be moved in a direction D, sothe material is brought into contact with the second cutting edge 342and cut.

In FIG. 4, the gripping instrument 400 includes a guard 440 that extendsfrom a main portion 416 of the first arm 402. A first blade 434 isconfigured so as to project from and be connected to the tip portion420. An end of the blade 434 may be secured to the main portion 416 soas to further stabilize the blade 434, if required or desired. The blade434 may be secured to the tip portion 420 so as to be substantiallyparallel, or at a slight angle, thereto. The guard 440 is substantiallyparallel to the tip portion 420 and is disposed so as to besubstantially aligned with the tip portion 420. As such, the blade 434is disposed between the guard 440 and the tip portion 420, andsubstantially parallel to both. This instrument 400 includes a secondblade 446 extending from the guard 440 and facing substantially towardsthe first blade 434. This second blade 446 can also be used for cutting,by manipulating the instrument in a downward direction D, or a slicingdirection S.

In the embodiments depicted above in FIGS. 1-4, the gripping instrumentshave one or more blades attached thereto. As noted, these grippinginstruments include two arms joined via a weld or adhesive at the joint.The incorporation of blades into other types of gripping instruments isalso contemplated, however. For example, FIG. 5 depicts a grippinginstrument 500 having two arms 502, 504 joined at a joint 512. The joint512 is, in this case, a pivoting connection such as a rivet, screw, or abolt. As with the other examples depicted herein, a blade 534 can beintegrated into one or more of the arms 502, 504, and utilized similarlyto the examples described above. FIG. 6 depicts a gripping instrument600 having two arms 602, 604 joined at a joint 612 that in this case, isa live hinge. As with the other examples depicted herein, a blade 634can be integrated into one or more of the arms 602, 604, and utilizedsimilarly to the examples described above.

The materials utilized in the manufacture of the instrument may be thosetypically utilized for other equipment utilized in surgical suites. Forinstruments that may be reused, metals such as steel, aluminum, orstainless steel can be used. Additionally, robust reinforced plasticscan also be used. Such materials utilized in reusable instruments shouldbe able to withstand temperatures generated in an autoclave. Disposableplastics can also be utilized. It may be desirable, however that thesematerials could also be sterilized prior to use.

The terms first and second, as used herein, are relative terms used forconvenience of the reader and to differentiate various elements of theinstruments from each other. In general, unless otherwise noted, theterms are not meant to define or otherwise restrict location of anyparticular element.

While there have been described herein what are to be consideredexemplary and preferred examples of the present technology, othermodifications of the technology will become apparent to those skilled inthe art from the teachings herein. The particular methods of manufactureand geometries disclosed herein are exemplary in nature and are not tobe considered limiting. It is therefore desired to be secured in theappended claims all such modifications as fall within the spirit andscope of the technology. Accordingly, what is desired to be secured byLetters Patent is the technology as defined and differentiated in thefollowing claims, and all equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: two arms, each of thetwo arms including a first end and a second end, wherein the two armsare joined at the first ends so as to form a handle, and wherein thesecond ends are configured to be positioned in an open position wherethe two second ends are not in contact and in a closed position wherethe two second ends are in contact, and wherein when in the openposition, the two second ends define two points on a line; and a bladedisposed on at least one of the two arms, wherein the blade comprises abody that defines a plane and a cutting edge disposed at an angle to theplane, and wherein the plane is disposed at an angle to the line.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the two arms defines amain portion and a tip portion, wherein the second end of the at leastone of the two arms is disposed at a distal end of the tip portion, andwherein axis of the tip portion is disposed at an angle to an axis ofthe main portion.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the blade isconnected to the tip portion.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, where theblade is connected to the main portion.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2,wherein the blade spans the angle between the main portion and the tipportion.
 6. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a guardconnected to the at least one of the two arms, such that the blade isdisposed between the tip portion and the guard.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 6, wherein the guard is connected to the tip portion.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 6, wherein the guard is connected to the mainportion.
 9. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a guard bladedisposed on the guard, wherein the guard blade projects toward theblade.
 10. An apparatus comprising: a gripping instrument, the grippinginstrument comprising a first arm and a second arm disposed opposite thefirst arm, wherein the first arm and the second arm are joined at ajoint, wherein an end of the first arm opposite the joint is configuredto move towards an end of the second arm opposite the joint in agripping direction; and a blade disposed on the first arm, wherein theblade is oriented in at an angle that is non-parallel to the grippingdirection.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the angle issubstantially orthogonal to the gripping direction.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 10, wherein the angle is between about 90 degrees and about 75degrees to the gripping direction.
 13. The apparatus of claim 10,wherein the gripping instrument is at least one of forceps, tweezers,and tongs.
 14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the joint comprises atleast one of a rivet, a screw, and a bolt.
 15. The apparatus of claim10, wherein the joint comprises a live hinge connecting the first armand the second arm.
 16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the jointcomprises at least one of an adhesive and a weld.
 17. The apparatus ofclaim 10, further comprising a guard disposed on the first arm, whereinan edge of the blade is disposed between the guard and the first arm.18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a guard blade disposedon the guard.
 19. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a bladedisposed on the second arm.
 20. A method comprising: gripping a grippinginstrument in a first orientation; actuating the gripping instrumentinto a gripping position without releasing the gripping instrument fromthe first orientation; and cutting a target with a blade disposed on thegripping instrument, wherein the cutting operation is performed discretefrom the actuating operation and without releasing the grippinginstrument from the first orientation.